thanksgiving 2009

My big brother, Lance, and his family made an 11 hour drive from Manhattan, Kansas to visit us for Thanksgiving this year! I felt so privildged because he doesn't just drive just anywhere, anytime. But I guess when there is nothing else to do where you live, you are willing to do just about anything. It was great to have them with us for the holiday and hope they will come back sooner than later!?


They made it in time (late Wednesday night) to go to our ward's Turkey Bowl. The boys had a good time, all four of them. The girls ran around with Nike, trying to hold him down, but didn't have much luck.


Lance was the roll-maker for the dinner. Everyone watched in awe and we ate them in awe as well. So tasty! I didn't get a picture of the dinner and everyone at the table which I am totally bummed about, but we did eat a fairly nice dinner. I'm still learning how to get everything on the table hot! Thanks everyone for pitching in!

Many evenings were spent around this table playing Texas Hold'em. It was intense. Can you tell by their poker faces?!

My mom thought we should take them to see the bats so one evening we got there before dusk. Everyone hung around, dancing on the train tracks, throwing the ball around, and we waited.


Dusk came and went and we still waited. We couldn't figure out why the bats weren't coming out. We waited some more and then finally gave up. They didn't come out that night.

I didn't know this was possible. Can anyone enlighten me as to why they wouldn't come out? We were just there one week earlier and there were tons of them. Very odd. But anyway, they never got to see the bats. Maybe next time.

On Saturday, we went to Zilker Park and enjoyed the beautiful day and enjoyed the fall leaves (yes, it is still Fall at the end of November in Texas).

We took a canoe ride on Lake Austin and had a few races with the boys. Proud to note, girls won!

Huy had to do a lot of rowing, but he definitely had the cutest passengers!

The boys thought they were all that, but I was just waiting for one of them to fall in the water. I guess it is a good thing no one did.

We held the canoes together so people could switch boats.


By the time we headed back to return the canoes, the boys were trying to hit the turtles. They were trying to have the most fun they could.

We also did some shopping, had a good family football game, played at the park, ate great leftovers, ate Chick-fil-A, and took some family pictures. It was so fun! Thanks guys for coming and making our Thanksgiving weekend one of the best. PLEASE come again next year! We sure love ya.

grandma comes for a visit
(November 3-17, 2009)

It is always so nice to have Grandma come into town. (We missed Grandpa, but we hope he'll come next time.) We enjoyed the time she was able to be here.


She got to go eat lunch with Taylin (Kaylie was home sick). She took her a Subway sandwich which made her day.


It is always fun for Taylin to play duets with Grandma. It's hard to know who enjoys it more.


It is always fun for the kids to tease Grandma that they are almost as tall as her.


And even Nike liked to have Grandma pet him. He was one spoiled dog while she was around.

We took her to see the bats at the McNeil Bridge here in Round Rock. She was impressed.

Taylin did not like the stink that comes along with the visit.

Everyone took cover (either in the car or with their hood) as the bats came out because they were dropping stuff on our heads, and by stuff, I don't mean twigs and branches or even bugs!

Thanks Mom for coming and for all the fun times. The kids and Huy and I sure love having you around and we can't wait for you to come again. I love you! You are the best!!

steppin' it up

The "rec" league was a good start, but Taylin is now steppin' it up and gettin' more competitive. She joined the Forza Soccer League this Fall where they offer professional players as coaches, teaching the players more skills and awesome footwork. Taylin has grown tremendously!

It is a much more physical game and Taylin outmatches most any player. She is one tough cookie and makes her parents proud to throw a shoulder here and there.

I love that she sticks her tongue out!

She even played in some 3v3 tournaments (this one was on a very cold day in Texas). It is a fast paced game, but again, Taylin sure learned a lot.

She is such a pa-tootie! Great job this season sweetie. We love to watch you play and get tough!

off to a perfect start

The NFL Atlanta Falcons have nothing on this Flag Football Atlanta Falcons team! They had a perfect season, 21-0. And there are more games to be played at the Nationals Tournament, to be played in January. Check out the QB taking the ball for a run.

He can throw too!

He is so good he doesn't force a throw and he is money when it comes to making the touchdown throw.

He can also be pretty goofy because, afterall, he is only 11 years old!

A bunch of 10 and 11 year old boys and two intense coaches is a winning combination!

They won the Centex (Central Texas) tournament.

They won the leagues "Superbowl."

And then it was all business at the Regional Championship Tournament. It was a day filled with games - some good ones, some not so challenging, and one tough one, but they pulled out a win.

Coach Huy, aka Dad, gives Tanner a few last minute coaching tips. They make quite the team!

The soon-to-be Regional Champions take a break and hang with Rowdy.

But there you have it, Dad is proud! And I am proud of both of them. They worked hard all season and this is where it paid off.

Playing at Nationals as the Dallas Cowboys, this team is headed to Miami, Florida at the end of January to play in the Flag Football National Championships! Not only will they compete for the title of National Champion, but they will also be watching the practice of the players who are in the NFL Pro Bowl and then they will attend the NFL Pro Bowl game. Pretty sweet deal! We wish them all the luck! Go Falcons! Have fun!

Best bud, Cole, came to cheer and support the team.

So did little sisters, Lauren and Taylin.

And here is the biggest supporter of them all!

happy halloween

What to be? Last minute decisions... Kaylie a cowgirl, Taylin a pro soccer player, and Tanner, well, he was a bit of several things. You'll see.

Kaylie with her friends Anna and Emily at our ward party. The costume didn't stay on long for her.

Taylin brought her friend, Kassadi, along so she would have someone to hang with. They had a great time dancing and then filling their bags while trunk-or-treating.

Tanner with his buddies, Connor and Lucas. This was not a planned costume for any of them. They just put something on last minute and all showed up to the party with similar ideas. It was pretty funny. I guess it is an 11 year old boy thing to wear wigs!

On the acutal Halloween day, we were in Fort Worth, staying with the Clarks, for Tanner's Flag Football Regionals. Here, Tanner chose to be a basketball player.

Taylin stuck with her pro soccer player theme. It sure is nice that the outfit was already in her drawer - makes it nice and easy.

Here is the cowgirl vest I made for Kaylie. Given my sewing abilities, it turned out okay.

And here they all are, ready to head out and fill their bags. We went with some friends of our friends and had a good time.

And how could we forget our Nike dog? He likes to dress up too, or is that, Huy likes to dress him up? Not sure.